Do you have a “happy cowpoke” who yearns for country life in the city? Or an urban kid obsessed with cowboy hats and lassos? If so, then the new album by popular Brooklyn children’s musician Hopalong Andrew might be for them. This joyful Songs of the Urban Cowpoke debut album is out on September 21st and it will be an exciting day for Hopalong’s loyal young fans who have waited patiently for the opportunity to bring his particular brand of urban cowboy music home with them.
Just picked for a 2018 National Parenting Product Award, “Howdy Do! Songs of the Urban Cowpoke” is full of Hopalong Andrew’s classic songs from the American West with a city-loving twist. Hopalong sings “Back in the City Again” with a country twang and pure love of all things New York. “I’ve Been Everywhere in in New York City” exhibits New York City pride in the way only an urban cowboy can—singing the names of all 105 city neighborhoods in under three minutes! “Thank God I’m a City Boy” showcases Hopalong’s urban cowboy persona and regularly delights young fans all over the city at his live shows.
If you’re not listening closely, you might think you’ve suddenly been transported to a western ranch or into cowboy movies from another time—but after listening to the lyrics, you quickly realize this is not your typical cowboy. Born and raised in New York City, Hopalong Andrew started his career as a Central Park Ranger and developed his unique musical style in that urban natural landscape. (“The Yodeling Ranger of Central Park” tells the story of Hopalong Andrew’s roots.) Of course the music is inspired by the culture and lifestyle of The Wild West, but above all, Hopalong Andrew clearly loves New York City and celebrates it exuberantly on this album like he has in his live shows for years.
Maybe you have been lucky enough to catch one of his many shows around the city—sometimes it seems like he is everywhere—and marveled at the energy of this urban cowboy and his ability to get the kids up and dancing around in their cowboy hats. Even if you haven’t, this is your opportunity to bring the Hopalong party home. Of course, if you’re not into classic western music and don’t find the “urban twist” of the lyrics to be enough to distinguish it from the originals, then this album might not be for you. It has a particular western sound, and you and your kids (hopefully both!) need to have some appreciation for that sound to enjoy this album.
To be honest, my three year-old son isn’t quite there yet. But his interests change every day and in a few years, I think he might discover his inner urban cowpoke—that particular urban desire for the opposite lifestyle can afflict even the best of New Yorkers at times—and I will be ready and waiting with a cowboy hat and this album. Because he might find a kindred soul in Hopalong Andrew, who has managed to embrace that desire for otherness while also appreciating how lucky he is to be a New Yorker.
If you would like to celebrate the release of the new album in true Hopalong style (and need something fun to do with the kids this weekend), check out his Songs of the Urban Cowpoke album release concert at the Opry City State in Times Square on Saturday, September 22nd. And tell him we say howdy!
By Margel Nusbaumer
And here is a video!